POWAY, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The Poway Unified School District is considering eliminating up to 100 positions to help close a $13 million budget deficit over the next two school years.
The district’s plan is to shrink the budget gap by $10 million in the 2025-26 year and then another $3 million in 2026-27. At Thursday night’s meeting, trustees noted budget cuts are necessary due to declining enrollment and the end of one-time COVID-19 funds.
It was standing room only as the school board voted unanimously to initiate the process of eliminating positions, making PUSD the third district in the county this week to discuss staff layoffs as they face budget shortfalls.
Of the 100 positions on the chopping block, ten are management at the district, but most are classified staff holding support roles in schools, which includes Instructional Assistants and Student Services Assistants.
“The district committed to working with us to look at unnecessary expenses all year prior to considering classified cuts and they’ve gone straight to classified cuts. It wasn’t collaborative. It wasn’t transparent, and it’s certainly not best for kids,” said Courtney Martin, Poway School Employees Association President. The union represents over 3,000 classified employees within PUSD.
Martin said the impact of these roles is immense, especially with younger students, which middle school student Amanda Gasia explained she can relate to.
“Last year when I was in fifth grade I had a really tough thing with my friend,” said Gasia, who credits a Student Services Assistant for helping her through a tough time. She added, “they don’t deserve to be kicked out like this, and the schools really need them because it helps the kids a lot.”
Trustees acknowledged making staffing cuts would be difficult. Meanwhile, a staff report shows the district would be operating with $49 million in reserves in the next school year.
After Thursday night’s meeting, the district will look into other ways to reduce spending, such as cutting services and subscriptions. Employees whose positions are at risk of getting cut will receive preliminary notifications by March 15.
The exact number of people actually laid off won’t be clear until June when the school board adopts a final budget. A spokesperson for the district noted some positions are currently unfilled, and some personnel may resign or retire before the budget is finalized.
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